Good result for the Robins in pre-season friendly number two
In their second pre-season outing, Hassocks held Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Whitehawk to a 2-2 draw at the Enclosed Ground.
The Hawks have been regular friendly opponents for Hassocks over the past few seasons. Whitehawk ran out 7-1 victors at the Beacon in 2022 and were 2-0 winners in Mid Sussex a year ago; score lines which highlight what a good result this was for the Robins.
Hassocks number one Fraser Trigwell played a huge part, making a string of impressive saves through both halves.
The opening 45 minutes with Whitehawk kicking down the Enclosed Ground’s infamous slope ended goalless thanks to three fine stops from Trigwell.
Hassocks needed only three minutes of the second half with the hill in their favour to take the lead. Josh Mundy swung over a free kick and tall striker Jamie Wilkes pounced like the absolute fox in the box he is, firing home when Hawks were unable to clear their lines.
The rangy Wilkes took a whack in the process. Whilst his teammates flocked to congratulate him, Wilkes could only hop around on one leg like a wounded giraffe.
Whitehawk almost responded immediately, rattling the post five minutes after Wilkes struck. Trigwell made another excellent save but the Robins resistance was eventually broken when new Hawks signing Chris Whelpdale fired under Trigwell on 71 minutes.
Whelpdale put the Hawks ahead with a towering header far post header as the clock ticked into the final 10. Most in attendance probably thought the game was done at that point; both teams would surely ease off as tiredness crept in.
Hassocks though had other ideas. Having seen one equaliser ruled out for offside, the Robins scored a legal leveller with 90 played from that old pre-season friendly favourite, A Trialist.
The Robins are next in action on Tuesday night away at Alfold. Kick off is 7:30pm at the Recreation Ground.
